Mr. Wiggams III

Mr. Wiggams III marks a return to bold colors and textures, featuring a little sassy, in-your-face fish. The Siamese Fighting Fish was chosen because of the incredible burst of color found in such a tiny creature. I wanted to push color as far as it could go, and this painting finally gave me the excuse to do it.

While researching Bettas, I learned that the intense colors we associate with them are the result of generations of selective breeding. In the wild, they are much more subdued—brown and green rather than the brilliant colors we see in pet stores. It also made me think about how we care for the animals we bring into our homes. Bettas deserve more than the tiny cups they are often sold in. I kept them myself in a 10-gallon aquarium, where they lived peacefully with other fish. If you bring one home, do your research and give them the environment they deserve.

The title came from a friend's son, who wanted to name the painting after his own betta fish, Mr. Wiggams. His fish had already earned the titles of Mr. Wiggams Senior and Junior, so this painting became the third.